Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor
Jefferson City, Missouri - Today, February 25, 2014, Congressman Jason Smith filed to run for reelection to the United States House of Representatives from Missouri’s Eighth Congressional District. Smith released the following statement after filing:
“It’s a great honor to represent my friends and neighbors in Missouri’s Eighth Congressional District in the halls of Congress. These past nine months I have fought the Obama Administration’s war on rural Missouri and I plan to keep up the fight. President Obama seems determined to regulate everything from how we generate power in rural Missouri to our ability to use rivers for Baptism services. I am committed to being a strong voice for a smaller, more efficient federal government, and an advocate for our region’s rural way of life.”
Submitted by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor
8th Congressional District - Missouri - Since its founding in 1928, the Future Farmers of America organization has brought together students, educators and private sector agriculture professionals to support agriculture education in schools across our country. Guiding the 580,000 FFA members in the United States is the FFA Mission of working: To make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.
The week of February 15-22 has been designated National FFA Week to celebrate the contributions made by the organization. In high school I served as a chapter and area officer and I participated in numerous FFA competitions. Like many people raised in rural communities, FFA invigorated my passion for agriculture. I'm proud to say I still own my family's farm started four generations ago.
In rural communities, FFA prepares the next generation of leaders. The economy of our own Eighth Congressional District depends on agriculture and ag leaders from FFA. Starting in the Missouri Bootheel and following along the banks of the Mississippi River we grow everything from rice, cotton and soybeans to corn, milo and peanuts. In the western hills of our district farm families raise cattle, hogs and chickens. The central part of our district has a rich timber industry that supports numerous mills and small businesses. FFA prepares young people to lead our region's rural agriculture-based economy.
In FFA chapters throughout the country, students develop leadership skills that will last a lifetime. Additionally, FFA puts an emphasis on the global importance of agriculture and the always increasing role of technology in production. FFA seeks to strengthen student's confidence in public speaking. I remember my early days in FFA, I was so nervous speaking in front of a crowd that I could barely get through even the shortest speech.
In our Eighth Congressional District, agriculture drives the economy. For rural America to succeed, we must continue working with young people to expand agricultural knowledge and leadership skills. For me, and for thousands of young people across America, FFA is the foundation for lifelong skills that strengthen farming communities in rural America.
Jason Smith will be making a visit to the Dexter Senior High School on Tuesday, February 18th to meet the Future Farmers of American Club.
Submitted by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor
8th Congressional District - Missouri - Hunting and fishing are a way of life for many in Missouri. For generations, families have come together to fish Missouri's streams and lakes. For my family, the beginning of hunting season is celebrated like a holiday. I grew up fishing on the Current River and Norfork and Clearwater Lakes.
To protect the rights of sportsmen, this week the House of Representatives passed The Sportsmen's Heritage and Recreational Enhancement Act. The bill protects the ability of sportsmen to hunt and fish on many public lands.
In our district, The Sportsmen's Heritage Act will have a major economic impact. Our Eighth Congressional District is home to some of the best and most diverse hunting and fishing opportunities in the Show-Me State. Many small businesses in communities across our district cater to hunters and fishermen who visit our region. To protect our rural economies, I worked to include an amendment in The Sportsmen's Heritage Act that will ensure the National Park Service cannot restrict motor vessels in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. My common sense amendment will ensure the federal government will not be a roadblock for families who responsibly hunt and fish.
The Sportsmen's Heritage and Recreational Enhancement Act will keep public lands open for hunting and fishing. Specifically, the legislation includes measures to:
* Require hunting, recreational shooting and fishing to be recognized activities on all Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management properties;
* Protect recreational shooting in National Parks under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management;
* Clarify that the Environmental Protection Agency does not have the right to regulate lead components found in either traditional ammunition or fishing tackle;
* Protect law-abiding individuals' Constitutional right to bear arms on lands owned by the Army Corps of Engineers;
* Ensure motor vessels cannot be further restricted in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways.
Congress would be wise to recognize the contributions that sportsmen make to protect our nation's resources. Hunting and fishing are a central part of Missouri's rural heritage and my experience has always been that people who live off the land are the best stewards of our natural resources.
The Sportsmen's Heritage and Recreational Enhancement Act upholds generations of tradition. The bill also ensures that our rural economy will be protected from new regulations on hunters and fishermen. Families can continue to fish and hunt together and Missouri’s abundant resources and natural beauty will continue to draw people to our state and fuel our rural economy.
Submitted by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor
By the time this is read, the groundhog will have seen his shadow, but remember his correct percentage is only 39%. The Superbowl will have been played and the winner crowned and judging of the best commercials associated with it and the half time show still being evaluated.
THIS WEEK IN THE HOUSE:
Conscience Protection for Medical Workers (HB 1430)
The House Health Care Policy Committee heard testimony this week on a piece of legislation intended to protect health care workers who refuse to participate in procedures that violate their religious, moral or ethical beliefs. With the bill, physicians, nurses and medical researchers could refuse to participate in procedures and research that involve abortion, contraception and stem-cell research. It is legislation I support because it serves as a shield that would protect medical workers from being fired, suspended or demoted for refusing to participate in procedures they find to be objectionable. It’s also important to note that the bill would not allow health care workers to withhold emergency medical treatment needed to save the life of a patient.
House Committee Considers Bright Flight Expansion (HB 1308)
Also this week, the House Higher Education Committee listened to discussion on a bill that would make college more affordable for some of our state’s best students and hopefully entice them to stay in Missouri rather than attend college in another state. The bill would improve the level of financial assistance received by our highest performing students by adding a forgivable loan program to our existing Bright Flight scholarship. The loan amount would be up to $5,000 per academic year and would be forgiven on a year-for-year basis after graduation if the graduate stays and works in Missouri.
The goal with this idea is to keep our best and brightest here in Missouri both for school and for the workforce. Right now our Bright Flight scholarships award only $2,500 to students who score in the top 3 percent of the ACT or SAT. While that was a significant amount years ago when this program was put in place, it is now just a small percentage of total tuitions costs and a minimal enticement for kids to stay in state for school. By bolstering the amount our best and brightest can receive we hope they will be more inclined to say no to out-of-state institutions and receive their education right here in Missouri.
Propane Price Investigation
It’s during this time of the year when the bitter cold persists and we do our best to stay warm that many Missourians dread receiving their utility bill. This is especially true for the many people who heat their homes with propane. In the span of a week propane prices tripled to in excess of more than $5 per gallon. This dramatic and sudden rise in pricing has caused both House and Senate members to call for an immediate investigation to determine if the gas industry is engaging in price gouging.
Already our Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster has announced that he is launching an investigation. His office is coordinating with nine other Midwestern states to get to the root of this problem. In addition, the U.S. Department of Transportation has issued emergency declarations to allow more propane to be shipped to our state. The hope is that the additional propane will help drive down some of these exceedingly high prices.
For anyone who uses propane this has been an extremely tough time. Please know that your state legislature will continue to stay involved in this issue until we reach a resolution that protects Missourians and helps them to afford the price of providing heat for their home or for their livestock.
As always, it is an honor to serve you in the Missouri House. If you would like to discuss any issue, please call 573-751-3629. You can also email me at kent.hampton@house.mo.gov . I look forward to hearing from you.
Submitted by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor
Jefferson City, Missouri - Gov. Jay Nixon has set Aug. 5, 2014, as the date for special elections to fill vacant House seats in the 67th District, the 120th District and the 151st District.
The seat in the 67th District, located in St. Louis County, became vacant after state Rep. Steve Webb resigned. The seat in the 120th District, which encompasses portions of Crawford and Phelps counties, became vacant when state Rep. Jason Smith resigned after being elected to represent Missouri’s 8th Congressional District.
The seat in the 151st District, which includes Stoddard County and a portion of Scott County, became vacant when state Rep. Dennis Fowler resigned to accept the Governor’s nomination to the Board of Probation and Parole.
